Europe
- Attica, Greece: Travel Advisory | Taxi drivers will repeatedly strike for 48-hours throughout Attica, Greece for an indefinite amount of time starting January 13. Taxi drivers are striking throughout Attica, including Athens, to protest against mandated switches to electric vehicles. This will take the form of 48-hour strikes with the first commencing on January 13. These strikes will increase the demand for alternative transportation services, such as rideshare and metro. Travelers are advised to book alternative transportation ahead of time. They should also monitor local media to stay informed as to when later strikes will take place.
- Bucharest, Romania: Protest Advisory | A major protest will draw tens of thousands and cause disruptions in downtown Bucharest, Romania on January 15. Political opposition leader George Simion called for the protests to demonstrate over concerns against a recently proposed anti-semitism bill and its effects. Protesters are expected to gather at Bucharest University Square at 6:00 PM. Social media indicates tens of thousands are likely to participate. Travelers are advised to avoid all protests. They also should leave an area at the first sign of violence.
- Spain: Health Advisory | Doctors across Spain will strike from January 14-15 cancelling appointments and limiting services. Many of the country’s major medical unions called for the strike to call for better working conditions. The two-day walkout by doctors will limit those remaining to perform non-emergency work. Emergency services will still be available. Travelers are advised to reconfirm medical appointments in advance. They should also check soon, due to the increased demand around the strike in case they need to switch dates.
Americas
- Peru: Weather Advisory | Expected heavy rainfall and flooding over the coming weeks will cause disruptions throughout Peru. On January 10, the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency that will remain in effect until March 11 in 20 departments due to the threat of heavy rains and flooding. The government declared that the threat outweighs their current ability to respond to these events. Travelers are advised to monitor local media to stay up to date on extreme weather events. They should also avoid low-lying areas near bodies of water during rainfall events.
- Bolivia: Travel Advisory | Additional roadblocks and travel disruptions are likely amidst ongoing fuel subsidy protests in Bolivia through January 19. Recent protests over the removal of a longstanding fuel subsidy sparked protests that led to over 60 roadblocks throughout the country at its height. A provisional deal has been reached, however the leading delegation of the unions organizing the protests have maintained that they will stay on “emergency alert” until the deal is signed. It is expected to take place later this week. Travelers are advised to reconfirm routes before departure. They should also avoid all protests.
- Cuba: Disaster Advisory | Expect more frequent power outages across Cuba over the coming weeks. The country’s already fragile electrical infrastructure was heavily dependent on cheap Venezuelan oil which has now been cut off from the Island. A series of power outages plagued the Island this fall and winter with the most recent on January 11 which left the national grid underpowered all day. Travelers are advised to charge their devices when possible and to plan ahead for these contingencies.
Asia & Pacific
- Bicol, Philippines: Disaster Advisory | Mayon Volcano may cause tens of thousands to evacuate over the coming days in Bicol. The volcano is expelling lava flow and rockfalls, which has warranted a level 3 alert which put into place a 6 Km exclusion zone. Local provincial authorities are making preparations for the potential evacuation of around 80,000 people should the eruption grow more violent. Travelers are advised to avoid non-essential travel around the area. They should also monitor local media for updates while following official directives.
- Seoul, South Korea: Travel Advisory | A bus strike will limit transportation in Seoul, South Korea on January 13. Bus workers are arguing with the Seoul branch of the National Labor Commission that bonuses should not be included as part of their total salary among other items. As public transportation accounts for around 65 percent of travel throughout the city, significant delays are expected. Travelers should seek alternative transportation ahead of time. They should also build extra time into their travel plans to account for delays.
- Kerala, India: Health Advisory | Government medical college doctors will begin an indefinite strike on January 13 limiting healthcare access throughout Kerala, India. Doctors are striking over frustration of many demands not met by the government, from pay to labor disputes. Doctors will stop teaching as well as cancel non-emergency medical procedures and appointments. Travelers are advised to check if their healthcare provider is affected. They should also rebook appointments if necessary
Africa & Middle East
- Israel: Protest Advisory | Additional large scale protests against a proposed draft bill are likely over the coming weeks in Israel. A proposed bill that would end Ultra-Orthodox Jews’ exception from being drafted into the Israeli military has sparked large scale protests over the last month. During a recent protest on January 6, tensions were heightened after a protester was killed by a bus that rammed through the crowd after being attacked by protesters. The event is liable to create more violence during upcoming protests. Travelers are advised to avoid all protests. They should also monitor local media for updates.
- Thies, Senegal: Protest Advisory | A march in downtown Thies, Senegal by medical professionals will cause disruptions on January 14. Doctors and healthcare workers will demonstrate their frustration over the public’s access to medical care with a march starting at 10:00 AM. Significant disruptions are expected in the third largest city in Senegal as healthcare professionals from all over the country take to the streets. Travelers are advised to avoid the protest. They should build extra time into their itineraries to account for travel delays around the city.
- Israel: Security Advisory | Expect heightened security amidst heightened regional tension over the coming weeks. Iran’s protests have presented a threat to the regime’s stability, making western strikes against the country more likely in the face of harsh crackdowns. Any intervention is likely to spark a reaction against Israel by Iran as a show of force. The Israeli government said it is on high alert of this possibility. Travelers are advised to follow official directives. They should also monitor local media for up to date information.
